Rim



G. T. BALFE Dec. 12, 1933.

RIM

Filed Jan. 12

Patented Dec. 12, 1933 UNITED STATES RIM George T. Balfe, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Detroit Gasket & Mfg. 00., Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application January 12, 1932. Serial No. 586,225 1 Claim. (Cl. 152-20) The present invention relates to rims and more particularly to an improved liner which will be attached over the rim and prevent abrasion of the usual rubber innertube by contact with the rim.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a liner which will receive the usual valve stem andwhich is provided with securing means of a very simple character located so as to at all times maintain the liner firmly on the rim.

A further objectof the invention is to so position the securing means and the recesses or openings which receive the valve stem that the securing means will be covered or enclosed by the usual bridge which is associated with the tire valve and hence, the tube cannot come in contact with the securing means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction wherein the liner will comprise a double thickness of material adjacent the valve stem which will also subtend the area defined by the usual bridge or spreader associated therewith, so that wear at this point is ef fectively provided for. I

An important advantage-of the present invention resides in the simplicity with which it may be applied and the inexpensive nature of the article. requiring any change in the conventional parts with which it is associated.

, In the drawingi Fig. 1 is a vertical end section Fig. 2 is a vertical side section- Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views.

The improved liner comprises a web'or strip of flexible material of thedesired length and consists preferably of a fabric backing of sufficient strength and elasticity and preferably waterpToof so as to stand up under the conditions of usage. To one surface of the strip or backing which I indicate as a whole at 10, there is applied a composition of rubber, ground cork, and a mineral oil which will impart additional qualities of flexibility, adhe'siveness and body to the web. Specifically, the composition consists of elk rubber, 7 lbs., buffalo rubber, '7 lbs., ground cork, 35 lbs., and paraffin oil, 2 oz. The mixture is milled and calendered in the usual manner and applied to the cloth as the material comes off the calender rolls;

The web having a stratum of this material on one surface thereof is applied to the rim with the coated surface in contact therewith. This coated surface is somewhat adhesive but Also, the invention may beused without not sufliciently so as to cause objectionable sticking.

The meeting ends of the liner which are overlapped in use are provided substantially centrally of the longitudinal edges thereof with openings 11. In alignment with the openings and relatively close thereto are disposed detachable fastening means 12. The openings 11 may simply be punched through the web but in some cases I reinforce the edges of the openings in any suitable manner. Thus I may use 'gromets 13 of metal, composition material such as phenolic condensation products, a wax which becomes stiff at ordinary temperature, vulcanized rubber and in fact, any suitable composition material which will strengthen and protect the edge of the openings, may be employed.

The snap fastener or separable fastener as shown is of ordinary construction and is clamped to the web as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be noted, that each separable fastener like the opening 11 is located substantially centrally of the web so as to be inalignment with saidopening, While I have shown the fasteners in longitudinal alignment, they-may be positioned in transversealignment.

The purpose of this aligning disposition is to insure a registration ofthe openings at all times and provide a closely spaced two-point connection for the overlapping ends of the liner, since the'openings loosely receive the valve stem.

The openings 11 are adapted as stated to loosely receive theltire valve stem 14 and it is important that the fastener members be located in close proximity to the openings so that the securing means when connected may be housed under the bridge washer 15 which is usually associated with the stem 14. By close proximity of the fastening members to the valve stem openings, I mean that the distance between the twowill be covered by theaverage bridge associated with the valve stem; The conventional bridge has a span of about two inches'with respect to the circumferential surface of the wheel rim and, therefore, when I state that the fastening means is located in closeproximity to the valve stem openings, I mean it is within a distance comprehended by the length of the bridge used in a tube of the size with which the liner is employed. In Fig. 4 of the drawing I have indicated recesses 16 in lieu of openings formed in the edges of the meeting portions of the web, and the separable fastener members 12 disposed adjacent thereto and in alignment with such recesses.

As stated, while I have shown longitudinal 110 alignment as the preferred disposition, I may alsouse a lateral alignment.

I position the fasteners in this construction relatively close to the recesses, as with the construction of Fig. 3, providing a two-point connection, and preventing any wrinkling or buckling of the web such as might cause wear on the edges of the openings or recesses 11 and 16 or-strain the fastener connection. At the same time this close positioning permits the fastener construc-- tion to be housed under the bridge 15.

By disposing the overlapping ends of the web and the two point connection under the bridge 15, there is avoided any possibility of contact of the fastener members with the tire tube, and at the same time a double thickness of material is provided adjacent the valve stem throughout theextent of the bridge as shown in Figure 2. This provision of a double thickness at the valve stem and subtending the area defined bythe bridge as shown in Figure 2 eliminates or cushions any tendency of the ends of the spreader or bridge to wear upon the liner. Moreover, the ends of the liner are prevented by their overlapping ends extending under the extremities of the bridge from working loose and the liner is held securely and smoothly on the-rim. f

- The space between the opening or recess and the respective fastened member is just sufficient to allow flexing when the liner is applied which is important in relievingany strain upon the fasteners or the edges of the openings.

- The separable fastener shown is of conventional structure and I do not wish tobe limited to the specific type illustrated.

By reason of the aligned construction and close relation of the fastener and opening or recess, only a single fastener is necessary. 7

I consider it important that the fastener be located in close proximity to the openings and preferably in alignment therewith.

- The rim is indicated at 17, the casing at 18 and the inner tube at 19. a

It will be observed that the ends of the web when in position on a rim are overlapped as shown to bring the openings or recesses respectively into register and to enable the fastening members to be connected. This provides a double thickness ofmaterial at the point: of great wear, namely, at the valve tube stem, and by preventing any buckling or wrinkling of the web, it is impossible for any severe strains to be puteither upon the edges of the openings and recesses, or the fastener between which, however, I have a"slight area to permit flexing.

While I havedescribed a reinforcement of the exposed edge of the opening or recess, this is not essential, but I find; that sometimes where unskilled labor is employed, it is well to guard against any tearing of the web due to rough handling,notwithstanding that the web without any reinforcement possesses for all practical purposes the necessary inherent strength and resistance.

In applyingthe liner, it is passed about the rim and the ends overlapped and connected by the separable fastened members. This brings the openings or recesses into register with each other and the liner can be shifted or disposed on the rim to bring the openings or recesses into register with the valve stem opening in the rim. As stated, by aligning the fastener members and openings there is no opportunity for twisting of the ends to thereby cause the openings or recesses to be out of register with each other. At the same time only a single fastener need be used which is positioned in such proximity to the opening or recess as to afford a closely spaced two point connection. The space between the fastener memher and opening or recess is just sufficient to allow flexing and at the same time bring the fastener members under the bridge out of possible contact with the tube. The tire tube and associated valve may then be applied to the rim in the usual manner.

Referring to Figure4, this construction is used where the opening in the rim is offset from the center in those constructions where the tire valve extends laterally from the rim. Thus the present invention is adapted for use with various types of modified rims by simply locating the openings and recesses and the associated fastening means in proper position.

As stated, the edges of the openings 11 may or may not be reinforced, and in practical use, this feature is optional. In Figure 1, I have shown the liner applied without the use of such strengthening means for the edge of the opening, and in Figure 2 I have shown conventionally a gromet, which, of course, may take the form of other stiffening means as indicated herein. In Figure 3, I have illustrated the use of the gromet 13 and in Figure 4, I have illustrated the edges of the recess as not being reinforced.

I claim:

The combination with awheel' rim and a pneumatic tire comprising an inner tube having a valve stem and the usual bridge washer mounted thereon,of a liner therefor adapted to be positioned upon the wheel rim and contact with the inner tube of a tire assembled upon the rim, said liner comprising a strip of flexible material, valve stem openings adjacent the ends .of the liner, separable fastener means carried by the ends of the liner and disposed adjacent said openings, said separable fastener means, when connected, positioning the ends of the liner in overlapping relation and registering the said valve stem openings, and said fastener means disposed in close proximity to the openings whereby the fastener means underlies the bridge washer of the valve stem when the tire rim and liner are assembled and the said fastener means will be out of contact with the inner tube.

pr-a

Ii-A

' GEORGE T. BALFE. 

